Pending Determination of the New Regulations' Implementation by the Commission

The Consumer Advice Center Hamburg has filed a lawsuit against Mondelez Germany at the Bremen Regional Court, alleging unfair competition due to the reduction in the weight of Milka chocolate bars. The lawsuit comes as many varieties of Milka chocolate now contain only 90 grams at the same or higher price.

The Hamburg consumer advocates argue that consumers are deceived because they assume the filling amount has not changed with the reduction in chocolate bar weight. Armin Valet, food expert at the Consumer Advice Center, continues to call on the federal government to create binding guidelines for shrinking package contents.

Mondelez Germany states that transparency for consumers is a priority and clearly states the new weight of each Milka bar on product packaging. However, the Consumer Advice Center argues that there is no clear indication of the reduction in content on the packaging. The packaging and design of the Milka chocolate bars remain the same, but the bars have become about one millimeter thinner.

The company has informed customers about the changes via social media and provides an overview of all bars, varieties, and weights on the Milka website. The Bremen Regional Court is currently considering the lawsuit, and after Mondelez's response, the chamber will decide how to proceed, with an oral hearing in court conceivable.

The lawsuit is not the first time Mondelez has faced criticism over reducing the weight of its products. The Consumer Advice Center Hamburg maintains a list of "cheat packages" with hundreds of complaints about the tricks of food companies, including Mondelez. More than a thousand items are already on the list.

The reduction in the weight of the Milka bar is due to increased costs for the supply chain and ingredients, according to Mondelez Germany. Cocoa prices have almost tripled in the last twelve months and reached a record level, the manufacturer states. Armin Valet, food expert at the Consumer Advice Center, wants to enforce a clear indication on the packaging in court to ensure consumers are aware of the changes.

The difference between the chocolate bars is only noticeable in a direct comparison, according to consumer advocates. However, the Consumer Advice Center argues that consumers should not have to compare products to know what they are buying. The case is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for food companies and consumers in Germany.